It will be up to giant-slaying Athletic Bilbao to try and put an end to Real Madrid’s impressive record of five clean sheets, and at the same time kick-start their own campaign.

Los Blancos may have struggled at home against Granada at the weekend, but they, nonetheless, enter this match in much better mood than the opposition.

Athletic Bilbao enjoyed a brilliant start to the new season, having recorded a 5-1 aggregate win over mighty Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, but things hasn’t gone too well since.

While los Leones did well to make it to Europa League group stages and then defeat Augsburg 3-1, their domestic campaign did not go according to plan.

Athletic have so far only beaten Getafe at home, while suffering defeats to Barcelona, Eibar and Villarreal, with matches against Real Madrid and Real Sociedad next on agenda.

In spite of their recent woes, los Leones can be trusted to take the game to their more illustrious opponents, so bear in mind that both teams to score pays 1.65 (13/20).

Aritz Aguriz should be fit to play after shaking off a minor knock, but Aymeric Laporte remains doubtful through injury.

Iker Muniain is still not ready for first team football, whereas Inaki Williams and Ander Iturraspe should be back in contention.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz – De Marcos, Gurpegui, Etxeita, Balenziaga – San Jose, Mikel Rico – Susaeta, Garcia, Ibai – Aduriz.

Real Madrid failed to get off to a winning start under Rafael Benitez, having been held to a goalless draw by Sporting Gijon, but they have since shown a great deal of improvement.

Los Blancos won the next three matches in style, scoring 15 goals and keeping three more clean sheets, proving they are back in business.

And despite the fact that Real could only muster a 1-0 win over Granada at the weekend, they remain 1.67 (2/3) favourites to win at San Mames.

Los Blancos will be eager to continue the impressive run and make sure they remain as close as possible to title rivals Barcelona.

The visitors will have to make do without Sergio Ramos as he failed to recover from injury, doing only gym work and not training with his teammates.

The likes of James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Danilo Luiz da Silva continue to miss out, meaning Rafa Benitez could field an unchanged side.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Navas – Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo – Modric, Kroos – Vazquez, Isco, Ronaldo – Benzema.